Chrome plated plastics?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Chrome plated plastics?
Anyone have first hand experience on the new spray on chrome plating plastic? I have had parts done with the older vacuum transfer method. That method is somewhat costly ( usually a $250 minimum) and the part has to be able to reach 165 degrees. But its triple plated and very hard and durable.
So does anyone have a company or personal experience with the spray on plating? I know that it is silver metal sprayed between two paint coatings. But that's about all I know.
I want to black chrome plate my fuel rail covers and then add the '57 fuelie script[IMG]
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So does anyone have a company or personal experience with the spray on plating? I know that it is silver metal sprayed between two paint coatings. But that's about all I know.
I want to black chrome plate my fuel rail covers and then add the '57 fuelie script[IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
hardly a better teacher than experience........
Thanks JS.
I'll post around a bit for an answer , 'cause someone knows and I know you're out there!! I guess the real question boils down to durability. Like I stated I've had dealings with the vacuum technology but the spray is new tech. The result looks decent and the price is half but durability in the engine compartment is my question.
I'll post around a bit for an answer , 'cause someone knows and I know you're out there!! I guess the real question boils down to durability. Like I stated I've had dealings with the vacuum technology but the spray is new tech. The result looks decent and the price is half but durability in the engine compartment is my question.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Kentucky
As far as knowledge on how the process is done, i don't know that much about it. I have saw pieces with this process and it looks the same as if the parts were metal pieces chrome plated.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
cost to chrome plastic has inflated.........
I used these folks some time back for smalled pieces and just got their cost quote for the fuel rail covers.http://www.4chrome.com/PlasticChrome.htm
Thses folks use a process that uses copper , nickle and chrome to plate the plastic. Realize that the parts will feel and look like metal. But at $4.50 per sq inch that puts the cost of plating both my fuel rail covers at $1454. Ooouch. So looking for and alternative process still.
Thses folks use a process that uses copper , nickle and chrome to plate the plastic. Realize that the parts will feel and look like metal. But at $4.50 per sq inch that puts the cost of plating both my fuel rail covers at $1454. Ooouch. So looking for and alternative process still.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Ill.
Try this shop. A friend of mine used them before. Price is pretty reasonable. Although I was told that there turnaround time is about 4 weeks.http://www.specialtychromedplastics.com/ordering.htm
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Race Director
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From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
There are several methods to plate plastic.
Metalic paint:
You can paint yourself, polish, then send out for chrome.
Vaccuum deposition:
Need qty and usually min setup charge.
Flame spray:
Never used but hear good things.
Plating:
I use a company called Cybershield in TX to plate plastic. They are great. They'll plate directly onto plastic. They are an industrial house, so not sure if they'd take small orders, but they may point you in the right direction.
Hope this helps
Metalic paint:
You can paint yourself, polish, then send out for chrome.
Vaccuum deposition:
Need qty and usually min setup charge.
Flame spray:
Never used but hear good things.
Plating:
I use a company called Cybershield in TX to plate plastic. They are great. They'll plate directly onto plastic. They are an industrial house, so not sure if they'd take small orders, but they may point you in the right direction.
Hope this helps
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Terriffic guys , thanks...............
I sent off for quotes from both companies. I will also want to chrome plate the intake manifold if this works out on the fuel rail covers. Thanks again!!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 0
From: North Canton OH
Wish you luck on this. There has to be a cheaper way to get the look you want, I'm sure model car companies (Revel, etc.) don't pay those dollars to get the bumper/chrome section for a plastic model done, or the model kits would have to cost a fortune.
There is a company here in mansfield, ohio that chromes plastics for GM/Ford, etc, name is Jay Plastics. But I highly doubt they would be interested in a one-off project.
There is a company here in mansfield, ohio that chromes plastics for GM/Ford, etc, name is Jay Plastics. But I highly doubt they would be interested in a one-off project.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
All plating is not equal..............
Well it appears that , as with metal coating not all plating is equal. As I have yet another company that uses the same vacuum technology give me a quote of $125 to $150 ( if more hand sanding becomes neccessary) . That's 5 times less than the first quote.
I expect to have other quotes coming in but I did send this companyhttp://www.specialtychromedplastics.com/ a copy of the first company's quote and asked why the hughe difference in prices? Am I missing something. Because if this looks like I think , I might consider doing the intake manifold as well.
I expect to have other quotes coming in but I did send this companyhttp://www.specialtychromedplastics.com/ a copy of the first company's quote and asked why the hughe difference in prices? Am I missing something. Because if this looks like I think , I might consider doing the intake manifold as well.
Last edited by dieseldave56; Jun 20, 2008 at 02:54 AM.
